Hurricane Harvey Emergency Information

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) is monitoring the impacts of Hurricane Harvey closely and working with state officials, county tax assessor-collectors and others to maintain or restore services in affected areas.

If your load is overheight, you may use the “Bid Route” feature in the Texas Permitting and Routing Optimization System (TxPROS) at https://txpros.txdmv.gov/ to route loads safely. Enter your height only and leave all other fields blank to use this feature during the Hurricane emergency. For information on other restrictions go here: Permit Restrictions

For a more accurate route than the bid route tool, contact us for routing assistance at 1-800-299-1700, option 2.

The Governor’s declaration waives all permitting requirements, including curfews and normal escort requirements. Vehicles may travel at night up to 10-feet wide without an escort and with front and rear escorts if exceeding 10-feet wide.

Deliver a load that consists entirely of relief supplies. Relief supplies include but are not limited to medicine, medical equipment, food supplies (including for livestock), water, and materials for building temporary structures, or

Transport materials from the area, such as debris, in order to facilitate the delivery of relief supplies, provided the removal expedites the clearing of roadways, staging areas, or locations for temporary structures to facilitate delivery of relief supplies.

If so, you may self-issue a MAP-21 Emergency Permit through the Texas Permitting and Routing Optimization System (TxPROS). https://txpros.txdmv.gov/ Permit is not valid for loads leaving the area with exception of those removing debris.

A copy of the President’s declaration must be carried with the permit. The declaration can be found on the FEMA website: https://www.fema.gov/disasters

The MAP-21 Emergency Permit allows for travel on all state and federal roads, including the interstate highway system. The permit may not be used for overwidth, overlength, or overheight loads.

See permit for a complete list of movement conditions and restrictions.

Apportioned Registration/Temp Permits

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has suspended certain vehicle registration requirements related to Apportioned Registration, also known as the International Registration Plan (IRP), and Temporary Permits for operators of commercial motor vehicles involved in Hurricanes/Tropical Storms Harvey and Irma disaster relief in Texas and other states. The suspension covers:

International Registration Plan (IRP) vehicle registration under Transportation Code, Section 502.091 and 43 TAC 217.56 to the extent the vehicle is not already registered under IRP, as long as the motor vehicle is registered in one of the 48 contiguous states of the United States; and

72-/144-hour temporary registration permits under Transportation Code, Section 502.094 and 43 TAC 217.40(b)(3), as long as the vehicle is registered in another state of the United States or a state of the United Mexican States.

The suspension is needed to make it faster and easier for operators of commercial motor vehicles from Texas and other states to provide assistance to both Texas and Louisiana by temporarily waiving vehicle registration requirements to travel in and through the state of Texas. Although smaller passenger vehicles are granted free vehicle registration in Texas via registration reciprocity agreements with other states, commercial motor vehicles are not granted free vehicle registration under such agreements.

Examples of disaster assistance include, but are not limited to, vehicles engaged in the transport of relief workers, food, water, clothing, equipment, materials, fuel, shelter, and other supplies to the impacted areas, as well as vehicles used to restore utilities and to remove debris from the impacted areas.

The suspension only applies to the vehicle registration requirements for operators of commercial vehicles that are providing disaster assistance pursuant to the declarations referenced in Governor Abbott’s proclamation. The suspension does not apply to any other requirement, including any safety requirements. Also, operators are responsible and liable for safely routing their vehicles and obtaining current restrictions and information concerning hazardous road conditions prior to movement.

Please see the storm you are responding to below for specific requirements related to the Governor’s suspension.

Hurricane Harvey Disaster ReliefThese suspensions will expire 14 days after the expiration of Governor Abbott’s September 20, 2017, Disaster Declaration, as amended.

No action on your part is required to qualify for these temporary suspensions.

Flood-Damaged Vehicles

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What should I do if my car sustained flood damage in Hurricane Harvey? A: You should contact your insurance company as soon as possible.

Q: Will my insurance cover flood damage? A: According to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), if you have comprehensive auto coverage, you are covered for flood damage to your car. Visit tdi.texas.gov for more details on insurance coverage.

Q: Will I need to provide my vehicle title to my insurance company? What if my title was lost or damaged in the flood? A: Your insurance provider may request the title for your vehicle. You can obtain a certified copy of title in person at any TxDMV Regional Service Center If you are unable to visit a TxDMV Regional Service Center, you can apply for a certified copy of title by mailing the Application for a Certified Copy of Title (Form VTR-34) to:

Note: The address the certified copy of title will be mailed to must be a deliverable address. Some addresses may not be deliverable in the aftermath of the storm.

Q: How do I obtain a duplicate registration receipt for my vehicle? A: If you need a duplicate registration/inquiry receipt, you will need to complete a Request for Duplicate Registration/Inquiry Receipt for Hurricane Harvey Impacted Vehicles (Form VTR-275-HRV). You can submit the complete form and a photo copy of your government issued photo identification to any county tax assessor-collector’s office, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Regional Service Center, or by mail to:.

Q: How do I obtain my title if there is a lien on my vehicle? A: If you need a certified copy of title and there is a lien on the motor vehicle record, you will need to contact the lienholder to obtain a release of lien. Your insurance provider should let you know if you need to contact the lienholder.

Q: What should I do if the loss of my vehicle due to flood damage is not covered by insurance? A: In the event the loss to your motor vehicle is not covered by insurance, there are additional steps for you to pursue. You have the option of applying for either a salvage title or a nonrepairable title, depending on the level of damage sustained. If the repair costs are more than the cash value of the vehicle immediately prior to the damage, but can be repaired, your vehicle can be considered a salvage vehicle. If your vehicle sustained significant damage and cannot be repaired, rebuilt, reconstructed, or made operable for use on a public highway, it is considered a nonrepairable motor vehicle.

Q: How can I be sure whether I need to apply for a salvage vehicle or a nonrepairable title? A: In order to make this determination, you should obtain an appraisal of the repair cost. A salvage motor vehicle is a motor vehicle that has damage to or is missing a major component part to the extent that the cost of repairs exceeds the actual cash value of the motor vehicle immediately before the damage. A nonrepairable motor vehicle is a motor vehicle that is damaged, wrecked, or burned to the extent that the only residual value of the vehicle is as a source of parts or scrap metal. To apply for a salvage or nonrepairable title, complete the Application for a Salvage or Nonrepairable Vehicle Title (Form VTR-441), and mail it to:

Q: Is it legal to sell a salvaged, nonrepairable or flood-damaged vehicle in Texas? A: Yes, as long as the title properly reflects this condition so that buyer is aware.

Q: How can I avoid buying a salvage, nonrepairable or flood-damaged vehicle? A: Do a Title Check. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is run through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), a national consumer protection database that provides title information from states across the country. Whether you are buying from a local dealer, individual or eyeing a vehicle from an online auction website, it will help you to know what you are buying before you pay any money or sign any paperwork for the vehicle. A report from the NMVTIS database gives you the vehicle’s title history, which includes whether the vehicle was ever in the possession of a junk or salvage yard or declared a “total loss” by an insurance company.

Bryan Wilson

Bryan Wilson serves as the director of the Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA). He works with the authority to reduce the incidence or automobile burglary and thefts by providing grants to local law enforcement agencies.

Wilson has more than 25 years of experience serving the courts and state since 1988. Prior to joining TxDMV, Wilson served as grants administrator for the Texas Indigent Defense Commission which distributes approximately $30 million in grants per year to all Texas Counties. He also established the grant program and administration that supported the Texas Supreme Court Permanent Judicial Commission on Children Youth and Families. He has also worked for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) as a probation officer, grants administrator for the Treatment Alternative to Incarceration program, and program director for the Office of General Counsel.

Wilson holds a Masters of Public Administration from Texas Tech University.

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